PUBLIC NOTICE Board of Education Regular Meeting Monday, December 14, 2020 7:00 PM High School Media Center Mike Bonacci: Present Mike Conrad: Present Jon Genoways: Present Kim Lukasiewicz: Absent Amanda Schrum: Present Kelli Shaner: Present ROUTINE BUSINESS Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM with 6 members, 4 administrators and 3 visitors present. Note Nebraska Open Meeting Laws: President Genoways noted the Open Meeting Laws. Excused Absences: A motion by Mike Conrad seconded by Kelli Shaner that Kim Lukasiewicz be absent excused. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Kim Lukasiewicz: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea Roll Call: Mike Bonacci: Present Mike Conrad: Present Jon Genoways: Present Kim Lukasiewicz: Absent Amanda Schrum: Present Kelli Shaner: Present Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve Agenda as amended to move superintendent evaluation to after the last item on the regular agenda passed with a motion by Mike Conrad and a second by Amanda Schrum. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Kim Lukasiewicz: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea PRESENTATION Savannah Lukasiewicz was present to accept a plaque of appreciation for her mom Kim Lukasiewicz’s years of service to the board. Mr. Green read a note from Kim thanking the board and acknowledging the work they all have accomplished during her tenure. REGULAR AGENDA Public Participation: No one asked to address the board. Approval of Claims: Motion to approve the Claims as presented in the amount of $328,488.27 from the General Fund and $326,736.66 from Savings and Depreciation passed with a motion by Mike Conrad and a second by Amanda Schrum. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. Mr. Green explained the claims from Blair Title, ESU #3, the auditor and Savings & Depreciation. There were no questions. Consent Agenda: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented passed with a motion by Kelli Shaner and a second by Amanda Schrum. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. There was a comment about the elementary breakfast numbers increasing. Standing Committee Reports Amanda Schrum reported on the Education and American Civics meeting including the 21-22 calendar, new DHM on quarantines, new board member workshop Mr. Green has been viewing, legislative updates including the first day of the Unicameral and FCCRA ending 12/31/20, suggesting making changes to our attendance letters in light of the COVID pandemic, an update on purchasing the Stephens house and the parking lot to be built in the space, the negotiated agreement and sale of surplus property. Another area of discussion was the presentation on open meetings laws which will impact some of the areas under which our board will have to conduct business. Mike Conrad reported for the Finance Committee on updating the phone system and its servers throughout the district, recommending the negotiated agreement for full board approval, being agreeable with the plan and costs of the additional parking lot at the elementary, the next steps to be taken on the Stephens house, hiring a designee to run and build the foundation, and getting back to a two year bus replacement schedule. President Genoways said we had put away ½ a bus each year and we need to begin this again as in 2021 we will be past due on a new one. We figure about 8 year life span so this needs to be done before our current fleet reaches that milestone. Resignation: Move that the resignation of Justin Shields be accepted at the end of the 2020-21contract period passed with a motion by Amanda Schrum and a second by Mike Bonacci. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. Mr. Green said he is looking for something different at this time and we wish him well. Sale and Disposal of Obsolete Property: The Board hereby gives notice that the Fort Calhoun Community Schools, Fort Calhoun Nebraska, will offer for sale the above mentioned obsolete items.The Board authorizes the sale for cash, of all items as they have been deemed as unsatisfactory or no longer suitable for school use and are of a nominal value which does not lend itself to the bidding process. The Board does hereby authorize such a sale, under the direction of the Superintendent or his designee passed with a motion by Amanda Schrum and a second by Mike Bonacci. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. The items to be sold are: -50 iPad Air 2s - Purchased in 2014 - Sale Price Range $100-$120 10 Apple MacBook Airs - Range of models, 2013-2015 - Sale Price Range $200-$300 These machines, ipads and some mac books won’t take any updates and can not be used for the curriculum, but still have use for other things. There is some value to them to sell even though 5 years is old for technology. The plan is to send it to staff and then on web page to sell them all. The iPads are cleaned and wiped out, the Macbooks are still being wiped and will be for sale when done. Public Sale of House Located at 1109 Adams Street, Fort Calhoun Nebraska 68023 Motion to authorize the administration to determine the appropriate publication and bid opening dates in the attached notice after the District closes on the purchase of the Stephen's property. The Board sets the minimum bid amount at $10,000 and directs the Administration to publish said notice soliciting bids for the sale and removal of the house from the property on the date to be determined passed with a motion by Amanda Schrum and a second by Mike Conrad. Mike Bonacci: There was discussion about setting a minimum and Kelly Shaner though we’d be ahead if there was none and save the expense of burning it and getting rid of the debris. Other discussion centered around if it was worthy to be moved, the $10,000 driving people away, the cost to burn it including inspections and haul away, and what if there are no bids and it doesn’t sell. President Genoways said he has had some interest shown and the board will have to make a decision as it needs to be gone by April. Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. Accept the Negotiated Agreement with Certified Teaching Staff for 2021-22: Moved to accept the agreement for 2021-22 with the FCEA passed with a motion by Mike Conrad and a second by Mike Bonacci. President Genoways said the percentage was larger by using older array numbers, Fort Calhoun was not comparable to their array. Another factor was health care expenses demographics This contract puts us in the mid range. The team was “wonderful” to work with and it went well. Other issues that changed besides salary were leaves and an alternate health insurance plan. We will sign and they will sign and all were happy with the outcome. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea Hire a Director for the New Fort Calhoun Community Schools Foundation: Moved to hire Dr. Don Johnson as a part time Director of the Fort Calhoun Community Schools Foundation to execute the strategy as presented during the November school board meeting. Dr. Johnson will receive a salary of $46,000 per year over the next three years without health benefits. He is expected to work 32 hours a week and the school district will pay not more than half of this salary each year. The other half is to be paid with a grant Dr. Johnson secured passed with a motion by Mike Conrad and a second by Kelli Shaner. There was discussion about a contract and if the expectations had been started. President Genoways said not yet, but he doesn’t work for the school and needs to do these as part of the expectations he explained. “Come year 4, the District is done.” He will be responsible to organize it and get it going and will not report to the school board other than our member in the foundation meetings. He would like to start January 1. Other discussion surrounded him having an office in the school and he would have a presence but not an office. He may be in some times to do his work but we are going with his November presentation. There were questions about contacting the other organizations, but at this time he is making a “roadmap” for the future and won’t interfere with them right now and the current scholarship commitments will be honored. President Genoways said the board would be “hard pressed to find someone who is more of an advocate for our schools”, and asked if any other member wanted to suggest someone else. Mike Conrad said “his heart is here”. Amanda Schrum asked who he will report to and was told this would be a foundation board responsibility. Part of the rebranding of our foundation is that all organizations will be under one umbrella with the audit and funding its responsibility, and that foundations have a structured program of what they can and can not do and the other members will be his bosses. One thing is that our foundation has never had a constant revenue source and this needs to be built from the ground up. He knows the community well and this gives it a good chance to succeed with the alumni association a viable part of this. As said earlier, President Genoways said at the end of the 3rd year, it needs to be self sufficient as the board will no longer help support it. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea Administrator Reports: Mr. Wagner gave a big thank you to his staff for all they’ve done this past semester; reported on winter testing; beginning a little more normalcy by starting up some of their supplemental programs; the Fall Newsletter, Career Day, a preschool update, alternatives to the Winter Concert, instructional coaching, professional development and upcoming events. He also reported that the Nebraska Frameworks external visit went very well and thanked all involved. The team was very impressed with what we’ve done and one of the superintendents said it's the best he’s ever seen. The exit interview has been sent to the board and he is working within Rule 11 to expand our preschool. Mr. Green said the task is now to go from “Great” to Excellent”. Mr. Wemhoff said the band concert was fantastic and we are working on the sound system for the upcoming choir concert; the return to school team met and discussed 2nd semester, the remote learners list is smaller for 2nd semester, and how we were able to stay in school and keep functioning; the high school received a banner for a “2020 College Success Award” from Greatschools.org; happenings in the building are FBLA food drive, homeroom door decoration contests and candy cane sales; gearing up for Post Prom wherever and however it may happen; and a thank you to Patty Appel for her years of service to the schools. Kelli Shaner said Post Prom is going to have take and bake dinners this year as a fundraiser. And President Genoways said the “Board appreciates Patty’s lifelong service to the district and our kids”. Mr. Christensen: Covid 19 plans for winter activities have been distributed to coaches and posted on our website which is updated for each competition by Jen Gepson. These documents are updated every game day. We had made the decision to go with the governor’s plan and the NSAA notified us later that if we did not follow their directives schools would have consequences, however grandparents are now included in households. There are no concessions at this time. He gave a big thanks to our coaches and staff for going above and beyond for our student athletes. They continue to modify and adapt as circumstances change. All are working together with students to keep our programs safe. We, as well as all schools, are doing an overall good job. Superintendent Report: Mr. Green reported on the progress of the 2020-21 Board Goals, gave a legislative update along with his aligning with colleagues to help him understand, maneuver through, and help keep up with the legislature this first year; the virtual visit went well and the team was impressed with our school; an update on COVID 19 including new DHM from 3 Rivers with 3 different options for quarantine but stressing that 14 days is the “best possible route”; an update on the elementary gym which they toured prior to the meeting; and the new board member workshop he has been viewing and has opened for member elect Christensen to view also. Additionally it may be appropriate for the Education and American Civics Committee meet with Dr. Johnson to look at the Before and After program and start developing it as the current provider will be done the end of the current school year. How the board proceeds needs to be discussed and decided in the near future. Superintendent's Evaluation, Contract and Compensation: Moved that the Board of Education extend a contract to Jerry Green, Superintendent for 2021-22. Passed with a motion by Mike Conrad and a second by Amanda Schrum. Mike Bonacci: Yea, Mike Conrad: Yea, Jon Genoways: Yea, Amanda Schrum: Yea, Kelli Shaner: Yea. Comments from board members included “overall a really good job and continues to learn and improve”, seeing much growth so far, thank yous for keeping the kids and staff safe, some of the evaluation items have not been observed as they have not been applicable, being proactive and thinking ahead, embraced the opportunity and has done a great job with all the hurdles that have come up, not afraid to ask for help or guidance, and showing wanting to be the best he can be. President Genoways appreciates the professional relationship, complete the transition, and “be mindful of your legacy”. Mr. Green said he read and understood the evaluation and comments and wants the board to know that “I will come to work each day and you will get the best of me”. He said there is so much to learn and looks forward to continuing to get better as he goes. The second motion regarding superintendent compensation was tabled to a later date. Board Member Reports: Kelli Shaner commented on the virtual state convention, being able to see all presenters or watch some more than once, and the open meeting one being informative. Mike Bonacci commented on the Band concert and streaming it was a plus; Mike Conrad commented on the virtual state convention saying it was good to be able to replay it, but he missed the interaction with board members from other schools. Jon Genoways liked to be able to go at his own pace, but missed the information that he usually gets from the question and answer periods. He has made contacts with NASB to have a representative at the Summer retreat to help with goal planning which will be finalized by Mr. Green. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no need for an executive session ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the president declared the meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM. ZNEZ ENT 1-08-21
